Sangoma

Sangoma is a term used in Southern Africa for a traditional healer and diviner, particularly among Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Sotho, and Tswana communities. The singular is sangoma or isangoma, and izangoma refers to multiple practitioners. Sangomas are believed to be chosen by ancestral spirits and to receive messages that can reveal the causes of illness, misfortune, or social problems. The calling may be recognized through dreams, visions, or unusual illnesses, and the sangoma often undergoes initiation and training within the local community.

In practice, sangomas perform consultations that may include trance or spirit communication, during which they interpret messages from ancestors. They commonly use divination methods such as reading bones, shells, or other objects to determine the source of a problem and to guide treatment. Healing typically combines herbal remedies, cleansing rituals, and advice on social or spiritual matters. Medicines are usually plant-based compounds known as umuthi, and rituals may involve singing, drumming, and the burning of herbs for purification.

Sangomas occupy a respected role in many communities, providing health care, spiritual guidance, and conflict resolution. They may work independently or alongside families, elders, and traditional leaders. While many people seek their services for personal and communal issues, some view traditional healing as complementary to modern medicine. The status and regulation of sangomas vary by country, with ongoing debates about training, ethics, and integration into formal health systems.